Srinagar, Oct 19 (KNS): Amid adherence of Covid-19 Standard Operating procedures, Eid-e-Milad, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was today observed with religious fervour, gaiety and enthusiasm across Kashmir valley during which thousands of devotees attended night-long prayers in major shrines of the region.
Details available with Kashmir News Service (KNS), the largest congregation was held at Hazratbal Shrine, which also houses the Holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), here on the banks of Dal Lake.
Braving freezing temperature, thousands of men, women and children devotees attended night-long prayers and sought peace, mercy and blessings from Almighty.
Thousands of women and men devotees, who had come from length and breadth of Valley thronged the Hazratbal shrine throughout the day on all other prayers.
Despite Covid-19, the nightlong prayers remained limited however today prayers were held at different shrines across the valley amid covid SOPs in place.
The devotees were shown Holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The relic was brought to Hazratbal, formerly known as Bagh-i-Sadiqabad, in eighth century and since then it become most revered shrine of Kashmir Valley. The Holy relic was displayed to devotees five times today after the culmination of congregational prayers by head cleric of the Hazratbal shrine during which emotional scenes were witnessed with tears rolling down from the eyes of devotees, mostly women, who were seeking mercy from Almighty and regretting their sins.
UT Government said all the arrangements were in place for the convenience of the devotees at Hazratbal. All the departments were put in service for the convenience of the devotees and that include Public Health Engin-eering (PHE), Health Department and Power Development Department (PDD). ‘Hazratbal Special’ buses of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) were plying from Lal Chowk to Hazratbal throughout the day.
Stringent security arrangements were also in place in and around Hazratbal shrine. Scores of Jammu and Kashmir police cops were deployed to prevent any untoward incident while senior officers were keeping a vigil on entire Hazratbal area. The police were keeping a close eye on traffic and parking management.
National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah visited Dargah Hazratbal shrine and offered prayers. He prayed for peace, harmony and prosperity in valley.
In Srinagar, several mosques were reverberating with the praises for Allah and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) throughout the night.
Several small and large rallies were taken out in several districts of Kashmir. The devotees holding green flags and banners raised slogans in praise of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and emphasized on the teachings of Islam.
Besides congregations and rallies, several conferences and seminars were held at multiple places by different religious organizations and other groups in Valley including in summer capital Srinagar on the occasion of Milad. (KNS)